Organ pedal structure



Nov. 10, 1959 F. H. osrBoRNE 2,911,873

. oRGAN PEDAL STRUCTURE Filed .July 2s, 1.953 2 sheets-sneer 1 m IL Nov. 10, 1959 F. H. osBoRNE ORGAN PEDAL STRUCTURE Filed July 23. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 www www mwN w www @2W ww/,m l/// SQ Y United States Patent O ORGAN PEDAL STRUCTURE Fred H. Osborne, Snyder, N.Y., assignor to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, North Tonawanda, N.Y., a corporation of Ohio Application `luly 23, 1953, Serial No. 369,899

Claims. (Cl. 84-225) The present invention relates to a pedal keyboard for instruments and more particularly to a novel pedal keyboard for musical instruments such as organs.

As is well known, pedal keyboards of instruments such as organs may be subjected to considerable loads while ythe instrument is being played and in the event the pedals are accidentally stepped upon. Futhermore, the pedals of such keyboards are often subjected to considerable laterally directed stresses so that the pedals tend to move sideways, thereby hindering proper operation. It is therefore necessary to make the pedal keyboards suiciently rugged to withstand not only normal loads but also any overloads that may be applied thereto. It is also necessary to provide guide means for preventing lateral movement of the pedals in order to obtain proper operation. However, it is undesirable to obtain ruggedness by unduly increasing the bulk of the pedal keyboardy since this will require too much space and in addition may be v rather unsightly. Guides have heretofore been proposed to prevent lateral movement of the pedals but many of these guides have not been suliciently smooth in operation or have been unduly noisy in operation because of sliding contact between the pedals and the guides which sliding contact may also reduce the useful life of the guides.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel pedal keybord which is relatively simple and compact and yet suiciently rugged to withstand overloads applied thereto.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel pedal keyboard which may be yieldably mounted in the instrument or organ whereby upon the application of an overload to the keyboard it will yield so as to prevent injury.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel pedal keyboard with guide means constructed so as to promote smooth and noiseless operation of the pedals.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pedal keyboard with novel guide means arranged so that there issubstantially no relative movement between a portion of the guide means contacting a pedal and the pedal whereby substantially to eliminate frictional wear and noises and to promote smooth operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved pedal keyboard, particularly adapted for controlling the key contacts of an electric organ.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an organ utilizing the novel pedal keyboard of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the novel keyboard of this invention mounted in the frame of the organ;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2; y

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Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 5--5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating various elements of this invention;

Fig. 7 isa fragmentary cross sectional View taken along the line 7 7 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view similar to Fig. 5 but showing a modied form of the present yinvention; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Fig. 8.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, an organ 10 is shown in Fig. 1 for the purpose of illustrating the use to which the novel keyboard of this invention maybe applied. The organ 10 isany electric organ having constantly vibrating reeds as tone generators, and the present invention in certain of its aspects is particularly adapted to electric organ control. ltwill be understood, however, that the pedal keyboard of this invention is adapted for use in other types of organs and similar instruments.

The organ 10 includes a cabinet and frame 12 on which are mounted upper and lower manual keyboards 14 yand 16 and controls 18. A pedal clavier or keyboard 20 embodying the principles of this invention is mounted on a lower portion of the organ frame along with a volume control foot pedal22. v

Referring now to Figs. 2 through 6,y it will be seen that the pedal keyboard 20 includes a base plate 24 which is preferably constructed of relatively heavy sheet metal. The longitudinally extending rear marginal portion of the base plate is provided with a vertical wall 26 terminating in a horizontal extending flange 28 adapted yto overlie a portion of the organ frame 12 as shown best in Figs. 2 and 4. A plurality ofapertures 30 are spaced along the ilange 28 for receiving bolts or screws used to secure the base plate to the organ frame.A As shown best in Fig. 4, a bolt 32 extends through the flange 28 and through an aperture 34 in the organ frame. Preferably the aperture 34 has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bolt at the midpoint 36 from where the aperture ares outwardly in opposite directions to permit the bolt to pivot therein while at the same time limiting horizontal movement of the bolt and thus the keyboard. The bolt 32 is retained in position by a nut 38 and preferably a felt washer 40 is disposed between the bolt and the frame 12 and a similar washer 42 is disposed between the frame and the -ange 28. The bolt 32 may be retained against retrograde movement by any suitable means such as a lock washer 44.

In order to retain the base plate 24 in its normal position which is usually horizontal, extensions or tabs 46 and 48 are provided at opposite ends of the base plate and positioned to underlie the organ frame 12. A vertically upstanding post 50 is staked or otherwise secured to the tab 46 and projects upwardly through a suitable aperture in the frame 12. A washer 52 is retained on the upper end of the post 50 by any suitable means such as a snap ring 54 litting within a groove 56. A heavy compression spring 58 is also disposed on the post and acts between the washer 52 and the frame 12 whereby to draw the base plate tab securely against the downwardly facing surface of the frame. Preferably a spring cup 60 is provided between the frame 12 and the spring to prevent the spring from digging into the frame which frame is normally constructed of wood. A post 62 similar to the above described post 50 is staked to the base plate tab 48 and also extends upwardly through a suitable aperture in the organ frame. Spring means identical lto the above described spring 58 and its associated elements is also provided for the post 62 but need not be described in detail. With this structure it is seen th-at the pedal keyboard base plate is securely mounted to the frame but at the same time it (is resiliently mounted 4so that upon the application Lof any ve'rlad to lthe"pedals of the'keyboard the base plate will yieldably pivot downwardly to' relieve fthe overload. p K

As shown best in Fi'g. 2,` a plurality of relatively lng pedals 64 'and relatively short pedals 66 are mounted on the base plate 24. Since all these pedals are mounted and guided in the sarne manner, only the mounting guiding means for one of the longer pedals 64 will be described in detail. l 4 Y l 'As sliown in Figs. 5, '6 and 7, the pedals 64 are inthe form of elongated UA-shaped `channel members having op'- ppsed legs 68 and *'70 and 'a top Isection '72. Each pedal 64 is pivotally connected with tlie base plate by means ofa relatively strong flat exuralspring 74. hAs shown in Fig. 5, the flexural spring 74 is secured to the horiiontal flange 28 of the "base plate by means `ofa suitable screw 76 anda lock washer 78. v pair of rivets80sec`u're the spring to the 'top section 72 of the pedal. In order to prevent looseoperation 'fthe pedal the 'exural 'spring 74"is preferably bent upwardly as at82 to holdpthe pedal with some force againstvupper step means. This stop means includes` a post 84 stakedorfotherwise secured'to the base plate and extending upwardly through a 'suitable aperture 86 in the pedal. An adjustable nut 88 is threaded onto the upper end of the po'st and afelt stop washer 90 is disposed between the nut and the pedal. Preferably the felt washer is valso backed-up by ametal washer 92. With this structure it isseen ythattlie uppermost position of the-pedal may be adjusted as desired. In the particular electric organ used to illustrate the present invention'u'pper and lower commonsor contact bars 94 and 496 are suitably supported on and insulated from the base plate and the upper stop means should be adjusted so as tofprevent @the pedal from contacting the lower bar 96. Suitable switchv means generally designated by the numeral 98 is mounted on'reach pedal so that upon downward movement of the pedals the switches engage the contact bars to close circuits which control the' playing of the desired notes or chords.

In accordance with a'feature of this invention `guide means is provided for restraining the pedals against lateral movenent which guide means is smoothly-and noiselessly operable. The guide means is shown best in Figs. 5, 6 'and 7 and includes a relatively light lfiat flexural spring 100 secured to an arm 102 extending from the forward edge of the base plate. Preferably a pair of spaced rivets 104 and 106 are provided for attaching the spring to the arm 102 and inraddition a portion of the aim is half punched as at 108 so as to extend into a suitableaperture in the spring. With this structure the spring is rigidly fixed to the base plate and securely 'retained against any possibility of lateral movement relative to the base plate. The flexural or guide 'spring'100 is operatively connected with the pedal 64 for guiding the same by means of a rectangular yblock 110 which is secured `to the outer end of the 'spring by a rivet 112 or any Vother suitable means. Itshould be noted that, as` is shown best in Fig. 7, the block 110 is provided with a recess 114 which snugly receives the flexural spring whereby the block is prevented from twisting relative to the spring. As shown in Fig. 5, the spring 100 extends lupwardlyand outwardly from the arm 102 so that the block 110 is disposed within'the channelV of the pedal. Ay felt pad 116 'is `also disposed within the channel and is located between the'block 110 and the pedal. With this structure i-t is seen that the spring 100througli its 'connecting block 110 fitting snugly within thejpedal effectively restrains the pedal againstv any lateral movement. Furthermore, since the connecting block 110 movesup' and down wi-ththe 'pedal there is no substantial relative' movement between the block andthe pedal whereby the operation of the pedal is noiseless and smooth.l

The' glide lspring 100 is preferably formed SQ' that it is slightly bent or fiexed even when the pedal is in its uppermost position. This not only assists the main mounting spring 74 in returning the pedal to the upper position quickly and smoothly, but also holds the connecting block securely Within the channel of the pedal. However, in order to prevent all possibility of the connecting block slipping out of the pedal channel a clamping finger 118 is secured to the underside of the pedal by a screw 120 and underlies the free end of the spring 100. A felt pad 122 is secured to the clamping finger 118 for contacting the guide spring and clamping the connecting block within the pedal.

As shown in Fig. 5, the guide spring mounting finger 102 is preferably` positioned above the plane of the base plate by a vertically extending iinger portion 124. Thus the finger 102 also provides a stop for limiting downward movement of the pedal. Preferably a felt pad 1264is secured to the pedal for engagement A with the finger -102 or more specifically for engagement `with the top Vof the spring r100 overlying the finger to 'eliminate any po'sslbility of noise which might occur upon engagement of the pedal with thelower stop.`

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a Vslightly modified form of the present invention wherein apedalikeyboard Vbase plate 128 essentially identical to the above described base-plate 24 is provided for supporting a'pltiralityjof pedals i130 identical to the above described pedals 64-or'66. However, in this "embodiment the pedal 130 is pivotally mounted to -the base plate by fa=elatively light 'fiexural spring 'i162 which is securedtothebase-plate by a screw assembly 134 and tothepedalby rivets 136. The upper stop f'this Vembodifnent is `identical tof'the abovedescribed upper stop andthu's includes-a 'post 138 staked to the base plate and having a nut 114'0, atmetal washer 142 and-'a felt washer t144'aeseinble'd on its upper end. In this embodiment the main springforce'for urging the pedal to its upper position is provided by 5a coil spring 1-46 surrounding'the post "3`8-an`d acting between the pedal and the base plate. lf desireda Aspringcup 148 may be provided between the'sprin'g and the'base plate 128.

The basepla'te 12S Vis-slibstantially identical toithe above described base plate 24 and is adapted to be yieldably mounted to the instrumentor'onga'n frame inthe same manner as the base plate24. VThebase plate128 differsr only in lthe means'fprovided-foi-guiding the pedal and for limiting the downward movement Vof the pedal. This means: ineludes a sh'rt upstandi-ng Vtab "1150 disposed at thefforw'adA end `of the base`-'plate-128 and lhav-ing a guide block 152 of plastic 'or any Itlier suitable material secured thereto by"means"offa'r`ivet i154. As shown best in Fig. 9, the guide block 152'fitsisnuglywithin the channel of thepedal and-thusirestfra'ins 'the pedal against'y lateral movement. By selectingA a plasticmaterial that'is'not too-hard for tlieguidebloclr 152 the sliding contact between lthe guide block and the y'pedal will notcreate objebtionable noises. The vguide block T52 also actsas the vlower stop v'for the'pedal and in 'order to prevent bjectidnable noise whenftheV pedal reaches its lower limit of' movement a felt pad 15'6 is secured within the'pe'dal for engagement lwith the topi-of the block 152.

From 'thefabove description it isV seen Athat the present invention has provided a novel pedal'. keyboard structure which is simpley and compact andwhichis `'adaratedto withstand lany overloads' applied thereto. In/addition, it now seen that the present'finventionfhasfprovided novel means for supporting thepedals so astopromote rapid, smooth and substantially noisless operation. More specifically,I it is seen that 'one form of 'the present invention has provided nevel tguide, means for 'restraining lateral motionof the pedals vwhich vguide-means is arranged so thatl there issubsta'ntially-no" sliding motion between it and the `pedals whereby smooth and noisless operation 'is *obtained along-with `an increased operating life. The pedal structure shown is also-p`articularly adapted to control the key contacts of an electric organ with the facility and accuracy required for rapid and smooth playing with such instruments.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a musical instrument of the piano or organ type having a case of `substantial size adapted to stand on a floor or the like, a pedal keyboard comprising base means, pedal means mounted on said base means for up and down playing movement relative thereto, and means for yieldably mounting said base means on said case, said mounting means including means substantially preventing horizontal movement of said base means relative to said case and further means permitting controlled vertical movement of said base means relative to said case so that said base means may yield vertically upon the application of a load thereto to relieve the load and reduce any possibility of injury to the keyboard.

2. In a musical instrument of the piano or organ type having la case of substantial size adapted to stand on a floor or the like, a pedal keyboard comprising base means, pedal means mounted on said base means for up and down playing movement relative thereto, means for yieldably mounting said base means to reduce any possibility of injury to the keyboard upon the application of a load thereto, said mounting means including substantially vertical post means associated with said base means, said case having aperture means through which said post means extend, thereby preventing any substantial horizontal movement of said base means relative to said case, and spring means on said post means coacting between said base means and the member to yieldably support the base means for limited vertical movement relative to said case.

3. In a musical instrument of the piano or organ type having a case of substantial size adapted to stand on a oor or the like, a pedal keyboard comprising base means, pedal means mounted on said base means for up and down playing movement relative thereto, means for mounting said base means to a supporting case for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, spring means associated with said case 'and spaced transversely of said horizontal axis for yieldably supporting said base means whereby to reduce any possibility of injury to the keyboard upon application of a load thereto.

4. In a musical instrument of the piano or organ type having a case of substantial size adapted to stand on a iloor or the like, a pedal keyboard comprising a base plate, pedal means mounted on said base plate for up and down playing movement relative thereto, said base plate having a longitudinally extending portion adapted to be secured to said case, said base plate having an end portion adapted to be positioned beneath said case, post means associated with said base plate end portion and adapted to be operatively connected with said case, and spring means on said post means and operable between said base plate and said case for yieldably supporting said base plate.

5. In an instrument of the type described, frame means, a pedal lkeyboard mounted on said frame means, said keyboard including a base plate having a rearwardly extending ange overlying a portion of said frame means and an end portion underlying said frame means, means pivotally connecting said ange to said frame means, and spring means operatively associated with said base plate end portion and said frame means for yieldably supporting said base plate.

6. A pedal keyboard comprising base means, a pedal, a ilat ilexural spring movably mounting said pedal on said base means, and a second at flexural spring means having one end connected substantially flat against the base means and xed against lateral movement relative to the pedal and the opposite end slidingly intertting with the pedal to guide the pedal and restrain the pedal against lateral movement whereby to promote smooth and substantially no-iseless operation.

7. A pedal keyboard comprising base means, a pedal, a lat flexural spring movably mounting said pedal on said base means, and a second flat liexural spring having one end rigidly `secured to said base means, said second ilexural spring having means thereon spaced from said fixed end and said pedal at substantially the same location having means cooperatively and snugly intertting therewith whereby to guide the pedal and restrain the pedal against lateral movement.

8. A pedal Ikeyboard comprising base means, a pedal, a relatively heavy ilat flexural spring piyotally mounting said pedal on said base means and yieldably biasing said pedal toward a raised position, a second flat flexural spring having one end thereof rigidly secured to said base means, the free end of said second flexural spring being disposed adjacent said pedal, and means on the free end of said second flexural spring and snugly intertting with said pedal whereby to smoothly and substantially noiselessly guide the pedal and restrain the pedal against lateral movement.

9. A pedal keyboard as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pedal means comprises a plurality of pedals, a plurality of flat flexural springs respectively mounting said pedals on said base means and also biasing said pedals toward the raised position, and guide means connected with said base means and associated with the pedals for smoothly and substantially noiselessly guiding the pedals for movement toward and away from the base means and for restraining the pedals against lateral movement.

10. A pedal keyboard as set forth in claim 9 wherein the guide means includes a plurality of plastic block-like members respectively snugly and slidably fitting Within recesses in the pedals.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 335,552 Wittstadt Feb. 2, 1886 1,914,831 Martenot June 21, 1933 2,117,002 Hammond May 10, 1938 2,228,141 Magnante Jan. 7, 1941 2,260,412 Stephens Oct. 28, 1941 2,470,148 Demuth May 17, 1949 2,499,244 Hammond et al. Feb. 28, 1950 2,562,471 Martenot July 31, 1951 2,565,239 Kosta Aug. 21, 1951 2,617,671 Barrango Nov. 11, 1952 2,625,070 French Jan. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,730 Great Britain Apr. 15, 1893 

